Key Considerations When Moving Your Child to Private School

Transitioning your student to a private school from a public school is never an easy decision. If this is something you’ve been thinking about, but you’re still on the fence, here are some key factors between private school and public school that can help you know if you’re making the best decision.

Philosophy and Values

Private schools pride themselves on their values and how they abide by them in every aspect of their student experience. When you’re looking at a school for your student, make sure their values align with yours and your students’ learning style.

School Culture

Similar to their values, private schools have their own culture that ties into everything they do. To get a feel for this culture, make sure you plan to attend an event or campus visit with the school you’re considering. Seeing students on campus and in their day-to-day life is a great way to figure out if this school might align with your student and family.

Small Classes

At private schools you’ll often find much smaller class sizes. During these small classes, students’ are more likely to get individual help and attention. Smaller class sizes also give your student the opportunity to get to know their classmates and teachers in ways they might not have in a public school.

Specialized Programs

There is a huge variety of extracurricular and specialized programs at private schools. Whether your student wants to continue something they are passionate about, or start something new, there’s room for them at a private school.

Tuition Fees

It’s no secret that private schools have a high sticker price. Before you and your family are too attached to a school, make sure there are scholarship or aid options available for your student. One of the best ways to make private school more affordable is to speak to the school’s Director of Financial Aid. These professionals are part of the admissions team and they can walk you through options that might be available for you and your family. Truly, schools want to help a family if they qualify for financial aid, but they can only offer the help if you initiate the conversation!

Application Deadlines

Unlike public schools, the private school admission process requires many steps. Before beginning the application process, make sure you’re aware of any deadlines the school requires. Typically, students have to submit their transcripts, letters of recommendation, and be interviewed by admissions as baseline admissions requirements, although each school has their own set of admissions criteria. Familiarize yourself with each school’s admissions requirements provided on their admissions portion of their website. The process can seem overwhelming, but when you set up a team to guide you, your student will be able to apply and start at a school they love in no time.

Qualified Teachers

Some private schools have an educational degree requirement for their teachers. Understanding the qualifications and experience of the teachers at any school you’re considering is a great way to gauge the level of academic credentials. For example, do the teachers who are offering learning support at a school have Master’s degrees in special education or specialized training in a particular area? Are entry-level teachers, recent college graduates who majored in education or are they moving into independent school teaching from a public school setting? There is a lot of variance across schools, so do your due diligence to understand who might be teaching your child!

Parent Responsibilities

Unlike public schools, private schools often require parents to be involved. This could mean you are expected to participate in certain activities, attend certain meetings, or volunteer. Community and belonging are very important at independent schools, so knowing what is expected of both your student and your family can help you decide if this is a school community for you!

Location and Logistics

Don’t forget about logistics! Is the school you’re considering within a reasonable driving distance? Will your student feel comfortable being this far away from home? What transportation options are available, both for boarding and day students? Exploring these questions can help you narrow down your list of schools, although we always tell parents to NOT let transportation drive the decision to consider a school or not. In our years of experience, we have never had a family not figure out their transportation logistics…..where there is a will there is a way!

Understand the Long-Term

Every private school has a different range of ages and grades that they support. For example, some private schools are K-8th and others might continue beyond 8th grade into high school, whereas others may just be 6-8th or 5-12th. If the schools you’re considering don’t have this option of extending into the upper school years, you likely would have to move your student into another private school or transition back into your public high school?

Make sure to ask how the school sets their students up to be successful graduates. This can give you a sense of whether your student can thrive in this school. Additionally, inquire as to what their transition and placement process looks like as students “age up” and graduate.

Moving your student into a new school is never easy! Make sure you take into account your family’s values, and what your student needs both academically and socially. When you need support getting started on this process, we’re here to help.